Movie spotlight
What a Clue Will Do
Potts, the detective, with his pupil, Pan, are called by a mother to save her child. They go to the spot, accompanied by their hound, in a dog grip, and find the broken-hearted mother, who gives them a shoe and a little shirt as the only means of identifying her child. They see the cub reporter, who has been sent to the neighborhood on a lost child story, and think that she is the kidnapper. Potts enters the saloon, after he sees the reporter enter. She has gone to report on the telephone to her editor. Potts holds up the whole room, and then he and Pan proceed to search the premises. One particularly large person threatens them with a bungstarter. While Pan is waiting for Potts, he scrapes acquaintance with the reporter. When the detectives return from their fruitless search they see the big fellow playing the piano. The distracted mother comes in, and seeing the piano player she recognizes him as her child. Potts takes one look at the tiny shoe and the shirt and gives up the case.
Insights
Plot Summary
A man attempts to gain favor with his wealthy uncle by pretending to be a detective. His efforts lead to a series of chaotic and slapstick events as he tries to solve a fabricated mystery, ultimately causing more mayhem than detection.
Critical Reception
As a short comedy from the silent era, 'What a Clue Will Do' was typical of Mack Sennett's output, relying heavily on physical comedy and absurd situations for laughs. Contemporary reviews likely focused on the comedic performances and the rapid-fire gags, which were hallmarks of the Keystone Kops style.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its energetic slapstick and fast-paced comedic action.
Ford Sterling's broad comedic performance was a highlight.
Embodied the chaotic humor characteristic of Mack Sennett's studio.
Google audience: As a silent short film from 1917, specific Google user reviews are not available. However, films of this era were generally enjoyed for their lighthearted entertainment and physical comedy.
Fun Fact
Mack Sennett was known as the 'King of Comedy' during the silent film era, and his studio, Keystone Film Company, was famous for pioneering slapstick comedy, with 'What a Clue Will Do' being a representative example of his style.
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